The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1887-12-08


cent to meet it with-just $500. She
supposed they would be turned out Of
house and home instantly, but in my
mind supposed they wouldn't. At last
9 o'clock came, and father said: Jim, go
out to the barn and see if kits all right.
Bring in an armful of old shingles that
are just inside the .oor and fill up the
water pail. Then cell 60 off to bed and
get up early and go fishing
IT didn't say word, but went out to
the barn, bedded down the horse, broke
up an armful of shingles, pumped pail
of water, filled the woodbox and then we
all went to bed.
"Father called me at 430 in the morn
ing, and while he was getting a cup Of
coffee I skipped over to the depot cross
lots and got my best bass rod. Father
took nothing but trolling line and
spoon hook. He rowed the boat with
his trolling line in his mouth, while l
stood in the stern with silver sinner
rugged on. Now, John, I never saw a
man catch fish like he did. To make
long story short, he caught four bass and
five pickerel and never got bite.
"At noon We went ashore and father
went home, while wentto the Postofice.
I got letter from Chicago with check
for $1,000 in it. With some trouble I got
it cashed, getting paid in S. aud $40
bills, making quite a roll. then got
roast Joint of beef and q lot of delicacies
and had them sent home. After that I
went visiting among my old schoolmates
for two hours and went home The joint
was in the oven. Mother had put on her
only silk dress, aud fatter had donned
his Sunday. go.to meeting clothes, none
too good, either. This is where played
joke on the old folks. Mother was in
the Kitchen watching the roast. Father
was out to the barn, and I had clear
coast. dumped the sugar out of the old
blue bowl, put the thousand dollars in it,
and placed the cover on again. At last,
supper vas ready. Father asked
blessing over it, and he actually trembled
when be stuck his knife in the roast.
"'We haven't had piece of meat like
this in FIVE years, Jim,' he said; and
mother put in with, sAnd we haven't had
any coffee in year, only when we went
visitin'.'
"Then she poured out the coffee and
lifted the cover of the sugar bowl, asking
as she did so; How many spoons, Jim.
my?'
sThen she struck something that
wasn't sugar. She picked up the bowl
and peered into it. 'Aha, Master Jim.
my, playin' your old tricks on your
nanny, eh ? Well, boys will be boys
Then she gasped for breath. She saw
it was money. She looked at me then at
father, and then trembling fingers drew
the great roll of bills out.
"Ha! ha ha! I can see father now
as he stood there then on tiptoe, with
his knife in one hand, fork in the other,
and his eyes fairly bulgiug out of his
head. But it was too much fc: mother.
She raised her eyes to heaven and said
slowly: Put your trust in the Lord for
He will provide
"Then she tainted away. Well, John,
there's not much more to tell. We
threw water in her face and brought her
to, and then we demolished that dinner,
mother all the time saying, 'My~boy
Jimmy My boy s5immy'
"I stayed home month. fixed up
the place, paid off all debts, had a good
time, and came back again to New York.
1 am going to send $50 home every
week. tell you, John, it's mighty nice
to have home.
John was looking steadily at the head
of his cane. When he spoke he took
Jim by the hand and said: "Jim, old
friend, what you have told me has
affected me greatly. ! haven't heard
from my home way up in Maine, for ten
years. I'm going home tomorrow
0Te,, Vo.L Sun